All the members of the delegation are so inspiring and bring their unique perspective and experience to the conflict in the Congo. Several of them immigrated to the United States from the DRC and convey a very personal message during their meetings with the congressional offices.

Dr. George Alula ran for president of his native Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006. It was the first democratic election in that country in 46 years, following decades of tyranny and instability. George rattles off facts and figures related to the DRC conflict from memory. He’s written a book about the conflict and shares an electronic copy with the officials we meet. He points to his native country’s vast natural resources and how much destruction and devastation they have brought.
Iyofe Christine Kankwenda, originally from the Congo, has lived in the United States for many years. She’s part of the large French-speaking community at Saint Camillus parish. The last time she was in the Congo was 2004. She felt compelled to come to Capitol Hill to advocate for change in her home country-to do something to end the violence and destruction that is affecting her people. She’s hoping for something good to happen for her sisters and brothers in the DRC.

Beatrice Mundela is soft-spoken, also from the Congo. She’s tall and regal. She conveys a sense of urgency when she speaks. She attends a Catholic church closer to her home in Germantown, MD.

Watch this video of Christine and Beatrice as they share their personal connections to the violence in the DRC and why they are advocating for change now.

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